Number indicating device



Nov. 13, 1934. H, J BALL NUMBER INDICATING DEVICE Filed Oct. 4, 1933 Patented Nov. 13, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1,980,844 NUMBER INDICATING DEVICE Application October 4,

1933, Serial No. 692,188

In Great Britain October 6, 1932 3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in number indicating devices for the use of knitters or for use as a calendar or for scoring points in a game, or for like purposes, and its object is to provide a convenient and inexpensive arrange ment for this purpose that can be conveniently adjusted, and the members of which will not be likely to become accidentally displaced after being set.

According to this invention, the body of the device is comprised of a hollow cylindrical casing of any convenient dimensions, and its open ends are closed by end covers of the pill-box lid type, which are held in position by means which permit of them being conveniently rotated on the cylindrical body. Either the end covers or the body have numbered scales or the like indicated thereon, so that numbers can be indicated by the angular adjustment of the end covers. The several parts described are when the device is made on a small scale, preferably composed of thin metal, but when made of larger size, a non-metallic material may be used.

The invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a front view, and

Fig. 2, a section of a number indicating device constructed according to this invention.

Fig. 3 is a view of one end of the device, and

Fig. 4, a view of the reverse end.

Fig. 5 is a front view showing an alternative arrangement.

Fig. 6 is a front view showing a construction which is large enough to hold a ball of yarn.

Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawing.

Referring first to the arrangement shown in Figs. 1 to 4, A is the cylindrical body, and B and C are the end covers which fit like pill box lids, i. e. they are frictionally secured, on the ends of the said body.

If preferred, these two end covers B and C may in order to prevent them from becoming accidentally displaced, be connected by an interior spring D as shown in Fig. 2. In this case each cover is formed with a central hole, studs E are located in these holes, and their inner ends are connected to the two ends of a centrally disposed spiral spring D which is in tension.

In the preferred arrangement which is shown in the drawing, the numbers are engraved or stamped round the two ends of the cylindrical body A, in such a position that they are covered by the rims of the end covers B and C, and each of the latter is formed with a single opening F so disposed, that by turning the end covers, each will expose one number on the body at a time.

In order to prevent confusion, the end covers B and C or the numbers on each end of the body A may be of different colours, and both of a different colour to the middle exposed portion of the cylindrical body A.

The device may be used by knitters for indicating the number of courses knitted, and the number of stitches knitted in the last course, or other information respecting the progress of the work when the latter is laid down, so as to obviate the necessity for counting when the work is taken up again. It can also be used for scoring points in games in which two players or two sides are taking part.

If desirable, the portion of the cylindrical body A between the two end covers B and C may have narrow stripes of difierent colours or shades disposed thereon parallel to the axis of the body, and this part of the latter may be enclosed as shown in Fig. 5 by an external rotary casing G with a gap at one point in its circumference. Each shade or colour can then be separately exposed to view by adjusting the gap in the outer casing G in register with them, and the different shades or colours which can thus be seen disassociated from the remainder, may be numbered so that a notation can be kept of any one, or more of them for future reference.

For the use of knitters, the end covers B and C may be formed with a series of holes H, which are graduated in size and numbered as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 so as to form a knitting pin gauge,

and in some cases the device may as shown in Fig. 6, be made large enough to hold a ball of yarn that is being worked up, and is wound so that it can be conveniently withdrawn through an opening J which is provided for the purpose, preferably in the centre of one of the end covers.

In this larger form, the several parts constituting the device may be most conveniently constructed of a substance such as cardboard, or of composition, and owing to its increased diameter and the material used in its construction, the end cover connecting spring D previously described is not required to prevent accidental dis placement of the end covers, when they have been set.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A device for indicating numbers and for like purposes comprising in combination a hollow cylindrical body with numbers distributed round the ends thereof, and end covers with rims which fit and are frictionally secured on the ends of the body and cover the numbers on the latter and are each formed with an opening adapted to disclose one of said numbers at a time.

2. A device for indicating numbers and for like purposes comprising in combination, a. hollow cylindrical body with numbers distributed round the ends thereof, end covers with rims which cover the numbers on the body and are each provided with an opening adapted to disclose one of said numbers at a time, and a centrally disposed spring located in said body and connected to said end covers and operating in tension to maintain the covers on the body.

3. A device for indicating numbers and for like purposes comprising in combination, a hollow cylindrical body with numbers distributed round the ends thereof, end covers with rims which cover the numbers on the body and are each provided with an opening adapted to disclose one of said numbers at a time, and a casing on the exterior of the middle of the body extending between the rims and provided with a gap or opening at one point through which matter disposed on the exterior of the body can be exposed by angular adjustment of the said casing.

HORACE JOSIAH BALL. 

